ACCOUNT OF MY DAYS
Sequence: 7
STATE FOREST
the trail through deep woods in a long slope
down past two giant oaks that have fed
thousands of squirrels in their time
and must have watched hundreds of men go by
even in such a lonely place
thins as it tracks along the stream
at the base of the ridge
then crosses it as if intent on arriving
at some barn or house or field
but whatever purpose it once had
whatever place it once brought you to
is long since gone
the peace of the woods is how empty
the forest has become
and the return having gone nowhere to
happiness this life of belonging comes from
how the leg-weary walk back uphill
will take more out of you